Frequently either a job doesn’t prove to be what we expect, or a path for business doesn’t turn out the way we anticipate. The full sales pipeline of opportunity is an excellent example of what we should have in place at all times.
As one builds a career, it’s always good to have ideas in mind for next rungs in the career ladder. Sometimes parallel paths prove to be of more significant interest. Nevertheless, possibilities for the next step is always to be kept in mind for when the time is right.
Not everything works out to perfection in business. We need to maintain a flexible plan in place translating to a variety of possibilities. When one idea disappoints, the full opportunity pipeline is ideal. We then waste little time on wondering what to do next. Thoughts continue to pour forth.
Building a Reputable Personal Brand
Your Story About A Backup Process
We build a business upon the human connection. No one is infallible. The first remedy for procedures not backed up is to acknowledge the situation. Next, think about your clients and how you would feel if you were in their position. Most of all, are you prepared to handle the unexpected?
Do You:
Believe the calamities will not happen to you
Have a flexible plan in place for backup
Continue to develop possibilities in all regards?
Sometime in your career, you experienced a lack of proper planning. In your quiet time, think about the lessons learned for improving backup in all regards. It’s easiest to ignore what should be in place until the unthinkable happens.
If you were the victim of a situation not adequately thought out, how did it conclude? Were you satisfied in the end or did you decide to never return as a client?
If the incident was on your end, did you quickly fix the situation and make your client happy again? Are you diligent about having backup plans in place today? While we can’t avoid all catastrophes, we can have workaround solutions in place for the ‘just in case’ scenario. Taking steps upfront saves devastating consequences on the backend.
Sales Tips for a Backup Process:
1. List the areas where clientele depend upon you
2. Add to the list the venues from which you receive payment
3. For each capacity determine if a backup plan is in order
4. Create backup processes in anticipation of possible mishaps
5. Before vacation, double-check the necessary systems, and people are in place
6. Establish agreements within groups to fill in for one another
7. Whenever a disaster occurs, check in with clients to verify they are okay
8. For any mishap that involves a fee, negotiate a reasonable settlement with
clients
9. Be sure your backup plan backs up reasons to do business with you.
10. Celebrate Success!